Manny talked about exemption for testosterone drug

The New York Times reports today that Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez and his representatives twice approached baseball about permission to use a banned drug that would boost his testosterone levels. The first time, after last season's suspension for testing positive for a fertility drug linked to performance enhancement, Ramirez did not formally seek the exemption. The paper said that the second time the subject came up, in September, Ramirez did not get an exemption but it's unclear from the story if he formally requested one. From the NYT:

The second time the idea came up, the Dodgers were in a close race in the National League West and Ramirez was struggling at the plate. In that instance, high-ranking Dodgers personnel, including General Manager Ned Colletti, discussed how they could help Ramirez and whether he had enough of a medical problem to obtain an exemption for a testosterone-boosting drug.

Baseball’s independent drug-testing administrator granted 115 exemptions last season to players who proved a medical need to use a banned substance. All but seven of the players received a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder. Two players received exemptions for drugs to boost their testosterone levels.

Ramirez declined comment and Dodgers spokesman Josh Rawitch said the team did not look into getting Ramirez an exemption, the story says.